Why short letting is one of the smartest investments in 2026?
Why More Landlords Are Choosing Serviced Accommodation Over Traditional Lettings in 2026?
With rising costs, increasing regulation, and the upcoming Renters' Rights reforms, many landlords are asking the same question:
Is traditional buy-to-let still the best use of my property?
For many property owners, the answer is increasingly no.
Across London, Brighton, Hove, Worthing and the wider South Coast, landlords are turning to professionally managed serviced accommodation as a way to increase income, maintain flexibility, and reduce many of the frustrations associated with long-term tenancies.
At StaySéjour, we help landlords unlock the full earning potential of their properties through carefully managed short and mid-term stays for professionals, contractors, families relocating, and corporate guests.
Here's why more landlords are making the switch.
1. Generate Higher Returns Than Traditional Lettings
One of the biggest advantages of serviced accommodation is the potential to significantly outperform a traditional AST.Rather than receiving a fixed monthly rent, your property can benefit from:
- Dynamic pricing based on demand
- Premium rates during peak periods
- Multiple booking opportunities throughout the year
- Access to corporate and professional guests willing to pay more for quality accommodation
Many properties can achieve substantially higher gross revenues compared to a standard tenancy when professionally managed and marketed correctly. At StaySéjour, we utilise advanced pricing software, market data, and distribution across 30+ booking platforms to maximise both occupancy and nightly rates.
2. Maintain Greater Control of Your Property
Traditional tenancies can leave landlords feeling locked in, particularly as legislation continues to evolve.
With serviced accommodation, you retain greater flexibility over your asset:
- Access your property when required
- Sell the property without waiting for lengthy tenancy periods to end
- Adjust your strategy as market conditions change
- Avoid becoming reliant on a single tenant
For landlords who value flexibility, serviced accommodation provides a modern alternative to the traditional rental model.
3. Professional Guests, Longer Stays
A common misconception is that serviced accommodation is primarily aimed at holidaymakers.
In reality, a significant proportion of our bookings come from:
- Contractors working on local projects
- Business travellers
- Families relocating
- Insurance stays
- TV and film production crews
- Professionals requiring temporary accommodation
These guests often stay for weeks or even months at a time, providing landlords with consistent income while reducing the number of guest changeovers. Our focus is on attracting responsible, professional guests who treat properties with respect.
4. Your Property Is Regularly Maintained
Unlike many traditional rentals where issues can go unnoticed for months, serviced accommodation benefits from regular oversight.
Every stay includes:
- Professional cleaning
- Regular inspections
- Prompt reporting of maintenance issues
- Ongoing monitoring of property condition
This proactive approach allows small issues to be identified early before they become costly repairs.
Many landlords find their properties are actually better maintained under a professionally managed serviced accommodation model than under a long-term tenancy.
5. Completely Hands-Off Management
Managing guests, enquiries, cleaners, maintenance and pricing can seem overwhelming.
That's where StaySéjour comes in. Our fully managed service includes:
- Guest communication 24/7
- Dynamic pricing management
- Professional photography and listings
- Multi-platform marketing
- Cleaning and linen coordination
- Maintenance coordination
- Monthly reporting
- Owner portal access with real-time performance tracking
Whether you're a local landlord or based overseas, we handle the day-to-day operations so you don't have to.
6. A Smarter Strategy in a Changing Market
The property market is evolving. Rising compliance requirements, changing legislation and increasing operating costs are causing many landlords to reassess their investment strategy. Serviced accommodation offers:
- Greater flexibility
- Higher income potential
- More control over your asset
- Reduced reliance on a single tenant
- Professional management and oversight
For many landlords, it represents a modern and resilient approach to property investment.
The Bottom Line
Serviced accommodation is no longer just an alternative to traditional letting—it's becoming the preferred strategy for landlords who want stronger returns without sacrificing control.
At StaySéjour, we specialise in helping landlords maximise their property's performance through longer-term professional stays, proactive management, and complete transparency.
If you're considering switching from a traditional tenancy, or simply want to understand what your property could achieve, we'd be happy to provide a free income assessment.
Discover what your property could earn with StaySéjour.


